The WNY Depot Trail

Wine trail, beer trail, pottery trail, cheese trail…they are popping up all over the Finger Lakes area. We are here to show some love and start a new trend! This quick post about the Finger Lakes Depot Trail highlights some of the best places to go in the upstate, NY/FLX area, and they just happen to be in former Railroad Stations. Whether you are from Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse or anywhere in between, we are sure you will enjoy these historic depots!

Ember Woodfire Grill

EMBER WOOD FIRE GRILL is a casual dining restaurant occupying the old historic train station in the village of Livonia in Livingston County. The inside of the station is expanded and redone. This place is pretty awesome, and their food compliments the atmosphere. Seasonal tapas style menus consist on fresh ingredients and are complemented with a wide selection of great local wine and beer.

Duffy’s Pub

Duffy’s is located in Avon, running parallel to Rochester Street. Erie Depot-turned-pub, you can enjoy their typical pub flair of burgers, sandwiches, pizza and wings, all while eating trackside!(weather permitting of course) Quite the experience!

D&R Depot Restaurant

Former B & O train depot where the food is homemade, the service is friendly and attentive, and even the background music is old fashioned. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner! Another special asset to the depot is that they have their own bakery, incorporated into the menu and available to take home items with you! Also, get catered food here as well, just as if momma made it.

Hours: Open 7 Days A Week For Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner from 7am – 9pm

Riley Street Station

Located in an old Pennsylvania RailRoad Station in the heart of downtown East Aurora, NY, Riley Street Station is like a pub on steriods. Commonly referred to a “Gastropub” offering a high quality spin on typical pub food. Two different bars and an opportunity to eat outside make this historic railroad depot an awesome place to get something to eat. Live music is also offered so you can party into the wee hours of the night.

Information:

Website: http://www.rileystreetstation.com/

Phone: (716) 655-4948

Address: 27 Riley St

East Aurora, NY 14052

Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11am-4am

Fri & Sat: 11am-4am

Sun:12pm-4am

Arcade and Attica Railroad

Ok, so technically this is a few depots and a couple trains included in the mix but that makes it more fun! Take a trip back in time on their steam passenger train, a 90 minute trip through the countryside-which has virtually remained unchanged since the late 1800’s. This is really a great time for adults and kids alike!

Medina Railroad Museum

Located in the old New York Central freight depot in Medina, NY, the Medina RR Museum is one of the largest freight depot museums in the country. The building itself was built in 1905-06, and is one of the largest (301ft. by 34ft.), last surviving wooden freight depots in the United States.

Information:

Website: http://railroadmuseum.net/

Phone: (585) 798-6106

Address: 530 West Ave

Medina, NY 14103

Hours: Tues-Sun 11am-5pm

Closed Monday and major holidays

Admission: Adults $7

Senior (60+) $6

Childeren under 18 $4

Under 2 Free

Rochester and Genesee Valley Railroad Museum

Located just 25 minutes south of Rochester, enjoy train rides and museum tours every Sunday from May through October. Their volunteers work year-round to preserve Rochester’s rich railroading history for you to enjoy!

Highland Park in Geneseo

Highland Park is located on Highland Road at the intersection of Oak Street. Looking to get some fresh air, Highland Park is for you. All you need in one area, basketball courts, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, playgrounds, pavilion.They even have a fenced in dog park with jumps and a tunnel for your dog to play in. There are rest rooms too. Summer recreation program for children and Ice skating in winter. The Depot is the former Erie Railway Station that was originally built in 1875 at the end of Court Street. In the depot was moved to Highland Park in 1976. Today it is used as a meeting spot for local organizations

Depot Park in Hammondsport

Ever thought of visiting 2012’s Coolest Small Town in America? And to top it off, they have a depot located in (well what would you know) Depot Park, right on the shores of the south end of Keuka Lake. Depot park, along with Hammondsport, gets busy in the summer with festivals and events almost every weekend. Go in for a swim or launch your boat next door!

Hours: We recommend going there in the warmer months to get the most out of Depot Park

Gatherings at the Depot

We couldn’t forget ourselves! Located in a brick 1915 Lackawanna Depot, Gatherings at the Depot is a quaint Cafe/Artisan Gallery that specializes in specialty coffee drinks and delicious sweet treats. We also offer soups and salads for lunch. Our Artisan Gallery features only local artisans that display their original work, from paintings and photographs to baskets and scarfs, available for purchase. A lot of people just like to grab a coffee and a bite to eat (breakfast and lunch, including soups and sandwiches) and hang out with friends in our waiting room turned dining area